Traveling to Daliang Kingdom starts from falling into the water

Whether you understand or not, there will always be more and more things to do, and soon you won't just have to give orders, you'll have to show up in person.

While Zhou Banxia was busy and thought she was just being presumptuous, thinking that the Third Aunt of the Gao family had not come to see her at all when she returned to her hometown from the capital, a "calling card" arrived.

A very formal and early "double invitation" jointly signed by the three wives of the Gao family arrived at Yuyuan from the city before their owners.

This whole operation is practically a direct message—even the matriarch of the Gao family in the prefectural city has come, and you have no way to avoid it.

Who's afraid of you?
Come on!

Zhou Banxia absolutely refused to admit that she was somewhat influenced by the fact that the invitation card sent by the other party not only suited their family ties but also reflected a refined and respectful manner. She immediately replied.

Yes, it was a very formal and enthusiastic statement that she would prepare a grand welcome and greet them warmly at the Gu residence in Qingyang City. However…

"Are you sure your senior brother said your cousin's wife didn't receive any invitations from the women of the Gao family?" Zhou Banxia hesitated slightly before asking Gu Wenxuan.

"Seriously, would I joke about something like this with you? Just wait and see if your cousin-in-law sends someone to tell you she received the invitation before dark."

"No need. Perhaps the Third Madam stopped her. Otherwise, others might not know who my cousin's mother-in-law is, but how could Miss Gao not know? How could she not send an invitation?"

My cousin's wife just happens to be here. What does it matter if I don't know her? What a great opportunity! Given the complicated family relationships in their high-class family, who isn't related to whom?

"If things come to this, like how I got to know my cousin-in-law, I'll end up looking lower than her. She seems to think she's superior because her husband's official position is higher than yours, Brother Qian."

Gu Wenxuan put down the note in his hand and shook his head. "Whatever she means, it's probably just like you said, that Madam Gao stopped her. After all, a married woman is like water spilled from a cup."

"Does Madam Gao and the other families not want to get too involved?" As soon as the question left her mouth, Zhou Banxia laughed at her own stupidity. "That's true, what benefit would it bring?"

If the Second Master truly wanted to protect himself, he wouldn't have only had his second wife, a married woman, working tirelessly outside. The Old Madam has clearly stood by and done nothing; the Second Madam's family is in grave danger.

"Is it enough for only one voice in the court? Someone has to lose their official hat for a position to be made. Nobody wants their subordinates to have too much power, my wife."

Yes, who isn't worried about a servant becoming too powerful and bullying their master?

Even if none of the Gao family's descendants join the army, who knows if General Gao has any other military plans to pass on to Madam Gao.

In that struggle for the throne, since Lord Gao was able to make contributions by relying on the connections left by General Gao, who knows what other people General Gao had left behind?

Moreover, in the Gao family now, apart from a few elderly chief and deputy chief ministers, how many civil officials have more power than Lord Gao? How can we not let things develop as they are?

It's terrifying to think carefully.

"Master Gao the Second—" Could he be a pawn that the current ruler is intentionally using to put Master Gao in a bad light? Feeling like she had grasped the truth, Zhou Banxia covered her mouth halfway through her sentence.

She didn't finish her sentence, but Gu Wenxuan still understood. He kept laughing, and when she punched him, he was even happier.

Still laughing?

"Is it important?" Gu Wenxuan shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "Who forced him? Since he reached out, he should be prepared to be punished. It's such a simple principle. He's not an ignorant child. After so many years in office, he still knowingly broke the law. What's there to sympathize with? There are plenty of innocent and pitiful people in the world."

As far as I know, the magistrate will not show favoritism in this case; he will stand on the most impartial ground and present the facts, and will not wrong an innocent person.

Indeed, there was no way her uncle would intentionally frame anyone, and of course, the final execution of the case was not entirely up to him.

Such cases, once they involve any of the emperor's sons or grandsons, will surely be given lenient treatment; even emperors believe in keeping family scandals private.

Zhou Banxia had originally wanted to find out from Gu Wenxuan whether he had noticed anything suspicious in the secret letter between him and her uncle, but she lost interest.

Even if she knew the whole truth, what could she do? Could she still rule over the emperor?
"It's already quite an achievement to avoid wronging an innocent person. Don't overthink it. Just let things be as they are. These are things we can't interfere with."

If she comes, you should treat her well. What's the point of pleading for her if she doesn't go to her grandmother? She's out of her mind, trying to use you to fulfill her filial duty.

Xiao Da is too much. There are so many princesses, noble ladies, and imperial consorts in the capital. Why not just cry and beg for mercy from any of them? Why make a special trip here? It makes her look bad!
"Mrs. Gao isn't a bright girl either. Don't get involved in anything. Not only did she meddle in her brother-in-law's affairs, but she also made things difficult for you!"

"Yes, yes, you're right. Are you done?" Zhou Banxia nodded hurriedly while interrupting, "Then I won't see you?"

"You should still meet her. If she wants to show her filial piety, you should act like a loyal and devoted person. When you meet her, stand at the front door and hug her and cry loudly in front of everyone."

"..."

"Look, you've lost control and cried so much, who can say you're not loyal and righteous? Oh right, I almost forgot, before you even get inside after you've finished crying, you're going to faint right away!"

"And then someone else is so heartbroken they're bedridden, let's see who comforts whom then!" Zhou Banxia couldn't help but chuckle as she chimed in, "What a terrible idea!"

If things continue like this, rumors will spread like wildfire. Why would I bother acting like this with her? We weren't that close before she got married, why would I pretend to be her sister?
"The Third Madam should be treated well. Not only has she done favors for us since our marriage, but she's also a person we can get along with."

Gu Wenxuan agreed with this point, saying, "Not only Madam Gao San, but also Madam Gao Wu, both of them are good people, not the superficial kind."

When he first entered the Gao family mansion, he was still a poor country boy. He was not neglected at all. Little did he know that his wife had a master with a remarkable background.

Even if Madam Gao knew perfectly well that the Gao family could not possibly know, the fact that the eldest son of the main branch of the family accompanied a poor country boy showed that she was very particular about etiquette.

It's no wonder his wife has feelings for the Gao family. The same goes for the Gao family's head stewards; from the very beginning, they all treated him with utmost respect, as if he were their own new son-in-law.

Forget it, for the sake of these people, let's spare that rotten apple for now, otherwise it'll be his silly wife who suffers.

"So when do you plan to go into the city? Since you're entertaining guests there, you should send someone over there to tidy up before dark today. Who do you plan to send?"
Actually, it wouldn't matter if we came here; what kind of decent person would suggest going inside the workshop? Even if that rotten apple looks inside, what can she possibly learn?

Just as Zhou Banxia was about to say that her mother would send Da Hua's family first, Gu Wenxuan added, "The main reason is that I don't want her to have the opportunity to propose cooperation in picking up the goods."

Refusing one thing, then refusing another, and refusing repeatedly is worse than simply telling her not to come. I didn't invite her here, and the Third Madam already knows what I mean. (End of Chapter)